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April 19, 2016

1 Example of Overcoming Hopelessness

I was
finally forced to admit to myself that I’m angry. Why? Recently, I was at an
event where a certain person was scheduled to speak for 3 to 5 minutes.
Instead, he spoke for closer to 20 minutes.
I stopped listening after a few minutes.

By the time
the young man had finished speaking, all I could think of was his
inconsideration. My frustration level was unbelievably high. I considered assertively
“dealing with” the issue for a time. Luckily, I didn’t follow through. Any of
the actions I contemplated would have had disastrous consequences. If I had
talked to the authorities at the meeting, the speaker himself, or the young man’s
parents, I probably would have caused permanent rifts and made myself look
foolish.

Really? Who
gets that upset over long speeches? It makes no sense.

It’s certainly
not in my nature to publicly confront people over minor issues. What did I do, then? I internalized my anger.
I turned inside myself and clamped down on my feelings.

What is Depression?

One
possible, yet simplistic, definition of depression is anger and hopelessness turned
inward, rather than outward. On the other hand, rage and violence are anger
turned outward. Both manifestations of negativity are damaging to our mental
and physical health.

What is the Cure for any Loss of Hope?

Professionals
in many fields, as well as survivors of trauma, agree that the key to
overcoming is visualization. This
means that we see things as we want them
to be rather than as they currently are.
For instance, I cannot expect to only contemplate my continuing lack of victory
in so many areas and move forward.

There are
plenty of stories of people who conquer crippling addictions, the inability to
have children, and serious injuries. How do these amazing individuals succeed?
They refuse to get mired down in the present. They reject the idea that “this
is as good as it gets.” Such people
visualize a brighter future despite evidence to the contrary.

What is his
secret? He declined to accept the negative vision thrust upon him everywhere—from
almost everybody. Instead, he followed proven biblical strategies, such as the Law of Decision and the Law of Immersion. In essence, he decidedto be victorious and filled his life with only uplifting thoughts.

My Conclusion

The cure for
any lack of hope is to believe in a better tomorrow. The best way to do this is
to look to God, since we ourselves are limited in power. Look upward, not
inward. The psalmist illustrated this idea in Psalm 102. In the first 11 verses,
he whines. He feels helpless. However, in the succeeding verses, he turns the focus
to God:

“But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through
all generations. You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to
show favor to her; the appointed time has come.” --Psalm 102: 12-13 (NIV)

“He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not
despise their plea.”—Psalm 102:17.